PART 7: Antichrists revealed by Christ – Enmity of the antichrists towards Christ

Lies About Pope Francis
By Giorgia Orlandi
Published on 24/12/2024 – 19:53 GMT+1

Introduction: The 2025 Holy Year Begins

The 2025 Holy Year, themed around hope and trust, began with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve. This Jubilee is expected to draw over 30 million pilgrims to Rome, where preparations have been underway for years, including extensive renovations and increased security in light of recent events.

Pope Francis opened the fifth Holy Door in a Roman prison—a symbolic act intended to inspire prisoners to embrace hope. This marks his second Jubilee year, following the one held in 2015.

What Indulgences Really Mean

Since the first Holy Year in 1300, Catholics have been taught that passing through the Holy Door (or one of three others at Papal Basilicas) grants them indulgences—essentially forgiveness of sins. This doctrine has long been controversial. According to biblical teaching, only God has the authority to forgive sins—not rituals or relics.

Misleading Doctrines: Mary as “Queen of Heaven”

The Roman Catholic Church often elevates Mary, the mother of Jesus, to divine status—crowning her statues and offering prayers to her. For instance, during his visit to Chile and Peru in 2018, Pope Francis crowned multiple Marian statues and held services in her honor.

This contradicts clear biblical commandments:

• Exodus 20:3–5: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me… Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…”

Despite this, the Papacy continues to encourage veneration of images and statues. Historical accounts, such as the devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Chile, have been used to justify these practices. Yet these traditions have no foundation in the New Testament church and were never practiced by Christ or His apostles.

A False Legacy: The Lie About Peter

One of the most enduring and significant deceptions promoted by the Catholic Church is the claim that Peter, the apostle of Jesus Christ, was the first Pope. This is untrue.

Peter was a disciple and apostle, but he was never crowned as a Pope. The name “Cephas,” meaning stone, was used symbolically by Jesus (John 1:42), and Jesus clearly refers to Himself as the Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4). The church is built upon Christ—not Peter.

The origin of the Papacy began with Linus, a man mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21. Historical claims about Linus twist his association with Paul and recast him as a leader who fell away from the teachings of Jesus. According to this narrative, Linus aligned with Roman emperors, established false doctrines, altered the Sabbath, and introduced idol worship and unscriptural feast days.

The Spirit of Antichrist

Many teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church reflect what the Bible refers to as the spirit of the antichrist—a systematic rebellion against God’s truth. The Book of Revelation, especially chapter 17, gives symbolic descriptions that many interpret as pointing to Rome:

• The woman in scarlet (Rev. 17:3–6) is adorned in royalty, drunk on the blood of saints, and filled with abominations.

• Babylon the Great is described as the mother of harlots, representing idolatrous religion.

• The beast with seven heads is often interpreted to represent Roman power.

• The ten horns signify kings or empires that collaborate with this system of deception.

Throughout history, this “woman” has persecuted saints, changed laws (Daniel 7:25), introduced new religious calendars, and promoted idol worship—all of which contradict Scripture.

The Role of Satan

Satan has always worked through worldly power to oppose God’s kingdom. He has used empires and false religious systems to deceive, destroy, and oppose the truth of Jesus Christ. The corruption of church leadership, distortion of Scripture, and persecution of saints can be traced back to this rebellion.

Final Conclusion to the Churches of Christ

Let those who have ears hear what the Holy Spirit is saying:

• The Roman Catholic system, as described in this interpretation of Scripture, is viewed not as a continuation of Christ’s true church, but as a counterfeit.

• The “woman” in Revelation 17 symbolizes apostate religion—led by antichrists, misrepresenting God’s truth, and luring multitudes away from the gospel.

• The apostles, including Peter, preached Christ alone as the Rock, Redeemer, and Head of the Church—not indulgences, idols, or earthly rituals.

Key Takeaway: The identity of the antichrists is clear to those who search the Scriptures and listen to the Holy Spirit. The Roman Catholic Church’s doctrines regarding the papacy, Mary, indulgences, and worship practices do not align with the teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles. Let the saints remain faithful, rooted in God’s Word, and aware of deception.